Internet Headsets + Phones (READ ONLY ARCHIVE)

[Smecty]

I've got a set of Logitech USB headphones with built-in mike that, up until today when I loaded Windows Vista Service Pack 1, worked just fine.

After SP1 was installed all of my audio devices (WinAmp, games, etc.) produce no sound in the headphones. I've got a Creative SB X-Fi set of speakers, and the control panel for that device was - and still is - set so that when the headphones are plugged the speakers automatically mute and the headphones take precedence. No change has been made to this configuration.

So I searched on the net and found this message (http://blogs.msdn.com/mthree/archive/2008/01/12/visa-rc-011208.aspx); note that at the bottom it's recommended to reload drivers in case the SP conflicts. So I went to the Logitech website but could only find drivers for a cordless headset; my set is a couple of years old and definitely has a wire (just one to the USB jack).

Failing be able to update my drivers, I uninstalled the headphones and re-installed. Still no joy.

I can get playback in them when I test them in Control Panel/Hardware and Sound/Sound/Headset Earphone/2-Logitech USB Headset. By right clicking on this device you can choose "test" it does indeed play a test in both right and left earphones. But that's the only place it works.

So I know that the headphones are okay, something else is conflicting.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[Mike_M]

Hi Sm,

I'm sorry for your difficulty. The only drivers we use are those provided by the OS, so if you need to reload the drivers, Microsoft would be the source. I imagine there is no way to uninstall SP1. It would be the drivers for your sound card that need to be re-installed. Look at Creative's site and see if they have a fix.

[Smecty]

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Mike_M wrote:

Hi Sm,

I'm sorry for your difficulty. The only drivers we use are those provided by the OS, so if you need to reload the drivers, Microsoft would be the source. I imagine there is no way to uninstall SP1. It would be the drivers for your sound card that need to be re-installed. Look at Creative's site and see if they have a fix.

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Hi Mike_M,

First, thanks for your quick response. And you are right, there's no way to undo SP1 other than reloading the OS.

I did as you suggested and ...
1. Reinstalled my Createive X-Fi drivers (actually, I updated them), and
2. I went to the Creative Forums to check out this problem.

Unfortunately, updating my drivers didn't work, and as the below message on the Creative Forums indicates, they think it's a problem with Logitech, and not their sound card as they claim that the headphones don't use the soundcard:

"USB headsets work independently, they do not use the soundcard, and have their own audio device instead. This would probably be something you'd have to check with Logitech."

To see this message on their boards go to: http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=Vista&message.id=31899&query.id=148183#M31899

So I'm in a Catch-22 no-win loop here. Please help!

Thanks,

Smecty

[mike0000]

I just recieved my headphones, the logitech pc 350 ones, and im having the same problem. i cant get the headset to work at all, it doesnt even recognize that anything is even in the usb ports.

help

[mike0000]

i just realised, id tried it this morning on the ps3, and it worked fine. but it had the blue thing light up on the volume control. when it ried it on the pc the blue light didnt turn on, and then when i retried it on the ps3 the light didnt turn on, is there a way it can run out of batteries or something, or if the headset isnt getting fed the power?

thanks

Michael

[Shvill]

Same here. When I connect my premium headset I get a USB DEVICE NOT RECOGNIZED dialogue box in which my headphones under the USB Rot Hub section are shown as an "Unknown Device" with the Recommendation:

Try reconnecting the device. If WIndows still does not recognize it, replace the device.

[mtozimek]

I have read Smecty's post and I am also able to get playback and verify that the headset works.  I have the exact same problem after updating to SP1 as well.  I have also not found a Microsoft hotfix that seems to be applicable to Vista home edition.  Looking forward to hearing more about this issue if someone resolves it.

[Smecty]

Hi everybody,

I found the answer to the problem and the good news is that it's extremely easy to implement.

1. Plug in your USB headset.

2. Right-click on the speaker icon on your taskbar's system tray and select Playback Devices.

3. Select the headset speaker device, right-click and select "Set as default device" and do the same in the Recording tab.

4. Your speakers and headphones should now automatically switch back and forth when you plug in the headset.

5. Just a side note: USB headsets work independently, they do not use the soundcard; they actually have their own audio device instead. What this means is that ...

a. You won't get the performance that your soundcard gives you in your USB headset, but ...

b. You don't need to turn on the speakers (and thereby use more juice) if you only intend on using your headset.

Cheers,

Smecty

[mtozimek]

Hey Smecty, that works for me thanks.  Gotta love the fact that it takes a jury-rigging of vista just to make some hardware operate correctly .

[Shvill]

Nope. When I plug in my headset and right click on Playback Devices there is no headset icon to be found. Any other suggestions?